An Adjustable Fixing Device of a Front Panel of a Drawer or the Like, and a Drawer Provided with the Adjustable Fixing Devices

ABSTRACT

The device ( 16 ) for adjustably fixing a front panel ( 11 ) to side walls ( 12, 13 ) of a drawer ( 10 ) or the like comprises a first part ( 17 ) fixable to a side wall ( 12, 13 ) of the drawer ( 10 ), and a second part ( 18 ) fixable to the front panel ( 11 ) of the drawer ( 10 ); the first part ( 17 ) and/or the second part ( 18 ) comprise at least a first and a second element ( 19, 20; 21, 22; 43, 44, 45 ) connected slidably to one another along a vertical and/or lateral direction, between which adjusting means ( 31, 32; 53, 54 ) are interposed so as to adjust the vertical and/or lateral position of the front panel ( 11 ) with respect to the lateral walls ( 12, 13 ) of the drawer ( 10 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an adjustable fixing device for adjustably fixing a front panel to the side walls of a drawer or the like, and also relates to a drawer, in particular made of wood, provided with fixing devices for the front panel.

PRIOR ART

In the furniture sector, devices are known for adjustably fixing the front panel to the side walls of drawers or the like.

In particular, the use of these devices is typically known in the sector of assemblable drawers, which comprise metal side walls of a box type which frontally integrate, internally, structures for fixing the front panel having suitable means for vertically and/or laterally adjusting the front panel.

These fixing structures however, because of the construction complexity thereof and the intrinsic size thereof, are only usable for application internally of the box walls.

There is on the other hand the need to have available an adjustable fixing device for front panels of drawers that is applicable to any type of assemblable drawer independently of the mechanical resistance characteristics thereof, and the shape of the side walls and the panels making it up.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for adjustably fixing a front panel to the side walls of a drawer, in particular for a wooden drawer or the like, which exhibits limited sizes and a high degree of constructional simplicity, and which for the purposes of assembly does not require complex working on the side walls and the front panel of the drawer.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a wooden drawer or the like, in which it is possible to adjust the position of the frontal panel with a simple solution and which does not include the need to carry out complex work operations on the side walls and on the front panel of the drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing can be attained with an adjustable fixing device for adjustably fixing a front panel to side walls of a drawer or the like, comprising:

a first part fixable to a side wall of the drawer; a second part fixable to the front panel of the drawer; and adjusting means for adjusting the vertical and/or the lateral position of the front panel with respect to the side walls of the drawer,

characterized in that said first part and/or said second part comprise at least a first and a second element slidably connected with each other according to a substantially vertical and/or lateral direction,

in that said first part and said second part are arranged in respective planes orthogonal with each other, and are conformed and arranged to be fixable respectively on an inner side of one of the side walls and on an inner side of the front panel, and in that said adjusting means are interposed between said sliding elements of said first and/or second part of the device for causing a driven sliding of the same elements in said vertical and lateral directions.

Further characteristics of the present invention are further defined in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will more fully emerge from the following description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the adjustable fixing device of a front panel of the side walls of a front drawer to the side walls of a drawer or the like, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawer for items of furniture provided with the fixing devices for the front panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a larger-scale detail of FIG. 1, wherein the front panel and the fixing device are illustrated de-assembled from one another and from the side walls of the drawer;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a variant of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures from 1 to 3, wherein the second part of the fixing device can be engaged to the front panel using hooking means;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fixing device for the front panel of the drawer in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a further variant of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures from 1 to 3, wherein the second element of the first part and the second element of the second part are separate components connectable to one another by hooking means or fast-connecting means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective assembled view of the fixing device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perfected embodiment of the fixing device of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fixing device for the front panel of the drawer together with a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention; in particular FIG. 1 represents a drawer 10 for items of furniture, preferably made of wood or the like, comprising a front panel 11, side walls 12, 13, preferably solid, a bottom 14 and a rear wall 15.

The front panel 11 is fixed adjustably to the side walls 12, 13 by means of a fixing device, denoted in its entirety by reference number 16, arranged on each side at the inner corners of drawer 10, where each fixing device 16 comprises a first part 17 fixable to a side wall 12, 13 of the drawer 10, a second part 18 fixable to the front panel 11 of the drawer 10 and adjusting means for regulating the vertical position and/or lateral position of the front panel 11 with respect to the side walls 12, 13 of the drawer.

According to the general idea underpinning the present invention, the first part 17 and/or said second part 18 comprise at least a first and a second element slidably connected with each other according to a substantially vertical V and/or lateral L direction, denoted in FIG. 1 by respective arrows.

Further, the first part 17 and the second part 18 are arranged in respective planes orthogonal to each other, and the adjusting means are interposed between the sliding elements of the first and/or the second part of the device so as to cause a sliding commanded by the elements in the vertical direction V and lateral direction L, as will be explained in the following.

In the first embodiment, as better illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first part 17 comprises a first element 19 fixable, for example by screws, on an inner side of a side wall 12, 13 of the drawer 10 and a second element 20 connected to and superposed on the first element 19 slidably in a substantially vertical direction, and more preferably vertical V.

The second part 18 in turn comprises a first element 21 fixable, for example using screws, on an inner side of the front panel 11 of the drawer 10 and a second element 22 connected to and superposed on the first element 21 of the second part 18 slidably in a substantially lateral direction in the plane in which the front panel 11 lies, and more preferentially a lateral plane L.

Elements 19, 20, 21, 22 of the first and second part 17, 18 of the device 16 are preferably in the form of metal plates.

To achieve the sliding connection between the elements of the first part 17, the first element 19 of the first part 17 preferably includes a wing 23 conformed so as to surmount and contactingly slide with a retaining surface 24 exhibited on the second element 20; further, sliding guide means are included, for example comprising two grooves 25 which extend parallel to and distanced from one another in a vertical direction in the first element 19 and two corresponding guide projections 26 which protrude from the second element 20 so as to engage slidably in the above-mentioned grooves 25.

Correspondingly, to achieve the sliding connection between the elements of the second part 18, the first element 21 of the second part 18 preferably includes a wing 27 conformed so as to surmount and contactingly slide with a retaining surface 28 exhibited on the second element 22; further, sliding guide means are included, for example comprising two grooves 29 which extend parallel to and distanced from one another in a horizontal direction in the first element 21 and two corresponding guide projections 30 which protrude from the second element 22 so as to engage slidably in the above-mentioned grooves 29.

In this embodiment, the second element 20 of the first part 17 and the second element 22 of the second part 18 are preferably realised as a single-piece component having an L-conformation.

The adjusting means interposed between the sliding elements 19, 20 and 21, 22 are in the form of respective eccentric adjusting members 31, 32.

In particular, with the aim of adjusting the vertical position of the front panel 11, the first part 17 of the fixing device 16 includes a first eccentric adjusting member 31 having a rotating pin 31′ which inserts in a hole 33 in the first element 19 and a cylindrical body 31″, eccentric with respect to the pin 31′, housed in an elongate hole 34 provided in the second element 20; in this way, by appropriately rotating the organ 31 a commanded vertical sliding can be caused of the second element 20 with respect to the first element 19.

Likewise, with the aim of adjusting the lateral position of the front panel 11, the second part 18 of the fixing device 16 includes a second eccentric adjusting member 32 having a rotating pin 32′ which inserts in a hole 35 of the first element 21 and a cylindrical body 32″, eccentric with respect to the pin 32′, housed in an elongate hole 36 provided in the second element 22; in this way, by appropriately rotating the organ 32 a commanded vertical sliding can be caused of the second element 22 with respect to the first element 21.

With the aim of obtaining a simple assembly, with no occupation of space internally of the drawer 10, the first and the second part 17, 18 of the fixing device 16 each preferably exhibit a substantially cylindrical shape in such a way as to be insertable and integratable in respective cylindrical seatings 37, 38, or substantially cylindrical, easily attainable by means of conventional milling operations respectively on an internal side of the side wall 12, 13 and the front panel 11.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variant of the first embodiment, in which the second part 18 of the fixing device 16 is engageable to the front panel 11 using hooking means. In this embodiment, the fixing device 16 comprises a base element 39, for example in the form of a metal plate, fixable using screws or the like on an inner side of the front panel 11, which element 39 exhibits hooking means, for example in the form of two or more wings 40 provided with elastically-yielding teeth 41 snap-engageable in corresponding openings 42 afforded in the first element 21 of the second part 18 of the fixing device 16.

Alternatively, the second part 18 of the fixing device 16 is fixable to the front panel 11 using fast-connecting means, with no interposing of the base element; for example the second part 18 can include at least one and more preferably two expandable connecting organs, in the form of shanks or the like, expandable by means of a screw or a rotatable command element, which are insertable and anchorable in corresponding holes exhibited in the front panel 11 of the drawer 10. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the invention, in which the same reference numerals are used to denote similar or equivalent parts; in this embodiment, both the vertical adjustment and the lateral adjustment are integrated in the second part 18 of the fixing device 16.

In particular, as better illustrated in FIG. 6, the second part 18 comprises a first element 43 fixable on an internal side of the front panel 11 of the drawer, a second element 44 connected to an superposed on the first element 43 slidably according to a first direction, for example in a vertical direction V, and a third element 45 connected to and superposed on the second element 44 slidably in a second direction, for example in a lateral direction L.

The first part 17 is instead non-adjustably fixed, for example by means of screws, to the side wall 12 of the drawer 10 and preferably is constituted by an angled extension 46 of the third element 45 of the second part 18.

To achieve the slidable connection between the elements of the second part 18, the first element 43 thereof preferably includes a wing 47 conformed so as to surmount and contactingly slide with a retaining surface 48 exhibited on the third element 45, so as also to retain the second element 44 interposed between the first 43 and the third element 45. Further, sliding guide means are included, for example comprising a first pair of grooves 49 which extend parallel to and distanced from one another in a vertical direction in the first element 43 and two corresponding guide projections 50 which protrude from the second element 44 so as to engage slidably in the above-mentioned grooves 49, as well as comprising a second pair of grooves 51 which extend parallel to and distanced from one another in a horizontal direction in the second element 44 and two corresponding guide projections 52 which protrude from the third element 45 so as to engage slidably in the grooves 51.

The adjusting means interposed between the sliding elements 43,44, 45 are preferably in the form of respective eccentric adjusting members 53, 54, the functioning of which is alike to what was described for the first embodiment.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further variant of the first embodiment of the invention, in which the same reference numerals are used to denote similar or equivalent parts; in this embodiment, both the second element 20 of the first part 17 and the second element 22 of the second part 18 are separate components connectable to one another by hooking means or fast-connecting means or screws, so as to be able to fix the parts 17 and 18 first to the side walls 12, 13 and respectively to the front panel 11 of the drawer 10 and thus to be able to simply and rapidly engage the front panel 11 to the side walls 12, 13 with the aid of tools.

As is illustrated, the hooking means preferably comprise a first hooking fork 55 orthogonally protruding from the second element 20 of the first part 17 and exhibits an upwardly open slit 56 in which a second fork 57 inserts, which second fork 57 protrudes orthogonally from the second element 20 of the second part 18 and exhibits a downwardly-open slit 58.

In particular, the first fork 55 exhibits a flat part 55′ on which the slit 58 of the second fork 57 fits with a form coupling; in turn, the second fork 57 exhibits a flat part 57′ which inserts with a form coupling in the slit 56 of the first fork 55.

In this way, the front panel 11 can be assembled simply with the side walls 12, 13, by inserting the second fork 57 from above on the first fork 55 so as to define a double reciprocal engagement; further, thanks to the fact that the flat parts 55′, 57′ and the relative coupling fissures 58, 56 are arranged orthogonally to one another, any reciprocal movement between the elements 20, 22 of the fixing device 16 is prevented.

With the aim of preventing a disengagement between the forks 55, 57, suitable blocking means are comprises, for example comprising a tooth 59 fashioned on the second element 20 of the first part 17, conformed and arranged to engage in an opening 60 made in the second fork 57.

Tightening means are preferably comprised to compensate for any play in the coupling between the hooking or fast-connecting means, as well as to compensate for working error in the construction of the wooden parts of the drawer and in the realizing of the seatings for the fixing devices; the tightening means, for example, the slit 58 of the second fork 57 is slightly displaced towards the front panel 11 with respect to the position in which the flat part 55′ of the first fork 55 is in in the assembled condition, and exhibits diverging surfaces in a downwards direction in such a way that the coupling between the forks 55, 57 is elastically forced so as to guarantee the front panel 11 a stable positioning, with no play.

The variant illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the fast-connecting means can further be applied to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in particular the hooking means or fast-connecting means being arranged between the third element 45 and the prolongation 46 fixable to the side wall 12, 13 of the drawer 10. FIG. 9 illustrates an improved version of the fixing device illustrated in FIG. 7, from which it is differentiated by the presence of further tightening means able to compensate for working errors of larger entity.

In particular, additionally or alternatively to the tightening means described with reference to FIG. 7, the fixing device 16 of the version of FIG. 9 comprises an eccentric tightening member 61 supported rotatably by the second hooking fork 57 of the second part 18, which organ 61 is conformed and arranged so as to act against a surface 62 of the first fork 55 of the first part 17 of the fixing device 16. In this way, once the two parts 17, 18 of the fixing device 16 are connected by reciprocal hooking of the forks 55, 57, the coupling can be tightened by suitably rotating the eccentric tightening member 61 in such a way as to force the front panel 11 against the side walls 12, 13 so as to compensate for any play and working errors.

With the aim of maintaining the eccentric tightening member 61 in an initial rest position before the coupling between the forks 55, 57, the second fork 57 preferably comprises a retaining wing 63 against which the tightening organ 61 is disengageably forced.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention in which fast-connecting means are included for fixing the second part 18 of the fixing device 16 to the front panel 11 of the drawer 10.

In this embodiment, similarly to the solution of FIG. 4, the fixing device 16 comprises a base element 64, for example in the form of a metal plate, fixable by screws or the like on an inner side of the front panel 11, which element 64 exhibits fast-connecting means, for example comprising a first fixed retaining wing 65, engageable in a corresponding opening 66 afforded in the first element 21 of the second part 18 of the fixing device 16, and a rotatable retaining organ 67 having a shaped retaining wing 68 insertable in turn in a corresponding opening 69 afforded in the first element 21 of the second part 18, where the first retaining wing 65 and the rotatable retaining organ 67 are arranged respectively at an opposing lower edge and an upper edge of the base element 64.

Thanks to the fixing device 16, the mounting of the front panel 11 of the drawer 10 is done simply and rapidly; in particular, by nearing the base of the front panel 11 to the bottom 14 of the drawer, initially the first retaining wing 65 is inserted in the opening 66, then the retaining member 67 is inserted into the opening 69 and, lastly, using a tool insertable in a seating or a cross-cut 70, the shaped wing 68 is rotated, for example by an angle of 90° between two reference notches 71, so as to cause a mechanical engagement between the shaped wing 68 and a raised edge 69′ of the opening 69, or in any case with a part of the first element 21.

By suitably conforming the shaped wing 68 and/or the raised edge 69′, the necessary tightening of the coupling between the parts can be generated, so as to compensate for any play and/or working errors.

As is clear from the foregoing, the adjustable fixing device of a front panel to the side walls of a drawer or the like, exhibits a limited-size conformation, in particular in an orthogonal direction to the faces of the side walls and the front panel, and is constructionally simple, making it particularly suitable for use with wooden drawers or the like, without requiring complex working on the side walls and on the front panel of the drawer.

The device for adjustably fixing a front panel to the side walls of a drawer or the like of the invention is however susceptible to modifications and variants all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; further, the constructional details can be replaced by technically-equivalent elements. 

1. An adjustable fixing device for a drawer, the device comprising: a first part fixable to a side wall of the drawer; a second part fixable to a front panel of the drawer; and adjusting means for adjusting the vertical and/or the lateral position of the front panel with respect to the side wall of the drawer, wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprises a first element and a second element slidably connected with each other in a substantially vertical and/or lateral direction, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged in respective planes orthogonal with each other, and are conformed and arranged to be fixable respectively on an inner side of the side wall and on an inner side of the front panel, and wherein the adjusting means are interposed between the sliding elements of the first part and/or the second part of the device for causing a driven sliding of the sliding elements in the vertical and lateral directions.
 2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first part comprises a first element fixable on an inner side of the side wall of the drawer and a second element slidably connected to the first element, and wherein the second part comprises a first element fixable on an inner side of the front panel of the drawer and a second element slidably connected to the first element of the second part.
 3. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the second element of the first part and the second element of the second part of are each made as a L-shaped one-piece component.
 4. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the second element of the first part and the second element of the second part are separate components connectable with each other by hooking means, fast-connecting means, or screws.
 5. The fixing device according to claim 4, further comprising tightening means for the hooking or the fast-connecting means, the tightening means being conformed and arranged for compensating for play in a coupling between the hooking or the fast-connecting means and/or for compensating working errors.
 6. The fixing device according to claim 5, wherein the tightening means comprises an eccentric tightening member rotatably supported by the second part of the device, the tightening member being conformed and arranged to act against a surface of the first part of the fixing device.
 7. The fixing device according to claim 2, further comprising a base element fixable on an inner side of the front panel, the base element having hooking means or fast-connecting means for the first element of the second part fixable to the front panel of the drawer.
 8. The fixing device according to claim 7, wherein the fast-connecting means comprise, on the base element, a first fixed retaining wing and a rotatable retaining member insertable in respective openings provided in the first element of the second part, the retaining member having a shaped wing rotatably engageable with a portion of the first element (21).
 9. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second part of the fixing device is fixable to the front panel by fast-connecting means.
 10. The fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the fast-connecting means comprise at least one expandable connecting member.
 11. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a first element fixable on an inner side of the front panel of the drawer, a second element slidably connected to the first element according to a first direction, and a third element slidably connected to the second element according to a second direction perpendicular to the first one, the third element having a prolongation fixable to the side wall of the drawer.
 12. The fixing device according to claim 11, further comprising hooking means or fast-connecting means between the third element and the prolongation fixable to the side wall of the drawer.
 13. The fixing device according to claim 12, wherein the hooking means comprise a first hooking fork orthogonally protruding from the second element of the first part and a second hooking fork orthogonally protruding from the second element of the second part, the first fork having an upwardly open slit in which a flat part of the second fork is insertable, the second fork having a downwardly open slit in which a flat part of the first fork is insertable.
 14. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means interposed between the sliding elements are configured as eccentric adjusting members.
 15. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elements of the at least one of the first part and the second part of the device are configured as metal plates.
 16. A drawer for furniture comprising side walls and a front panel, the drawer comprising a first and a second fixing device according to claim 1 for adjustably fixing the front panel to the side walls of the drawer.
 17. The drawer according to claim 16, wherein the side walls and the front panel, at their faces inside the drawer, have respective built-in seats having a substantially cylindrical shape for receiving, respectively, the first and second parts of the fixing device. 